Facts & Statistics About Methamphetamine in Navajo County


The Arizona Youth Survey sample encompassed all 15 Arizona counties. From the collected data, individual county results were published in separate reports. According to 2006 Arizona Youth Survey, Navajo County had highest percentage of 12th grade students reporting meth use. We placed 2nd highest in 8th and 10th grade students reported meth use. In 2004, we did not even rank in the top 3.
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Report — Youth Drug Use in Navajo County

• 10% of kids 12-17 have tried meth
• Prescription drugs – 14%
• Sedatives – 12.4%
• Marijuana – 39%
• Alcohol – 57%
• Cocaine – 9.9%
• Any Drug – 51%

Arizona leads the nation in meth use by children between the ages of 12-17
Meth in Arizona is the second leading cause of treatment admissions involving substance abuse
1 in 10 in 2001 vs. 1 in 4 in 2005
Highest rates among:

• 18-24 year olds
• Parents in CPS
• Drug and mental health court
• Tribes

Navajo County is among the top 4 counties in Arizona with most problems with illicit drug use.
Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) reports that meth is the #1 drug problem in Navajo County. One out of three DUIs are meth related (NavCo Sheriff’s Department). 62% of DUI Task Force arrests are meth related (Navajo County records). 85% of probation department cases are meth related. 90% of ±400 prisoners in Navajo County Jail are meth related crimes. It costs $65 a day to house a prisoner. This costs county taxpayers $9.25 million a year.
From 1990-2004, meth hospital admissions at Navapache Regional Medical Center drastically increased. 80% of clients in Social Health Services involve meth.
In 2006, there were 8 substance-exposed newborns that tested positive for amphetamines at Navapache Regional Medical Center
Navajo County is among top five counties with highest rates for problem indicators associated with drug/alcohol use. According to Navapache Regional Medical Center, our biggest problems are:

• Hospital Discharges and Emergency Department visits involving alcohol abuse/dependence
• Emergency Department visits involving abuse of drugs
• Alcohol/Drug Juvenile offenses

According to Navajo County CASA Coordinator, Kirk Grugel, 53% of dependency cases are meth-related. Of these cases, 89 children have been affected. Most of the children affected are under age 5. 65% of child abuse and neglect cases involve meth.
In Navajo County, 85% of probation department cases are meth-related. About 53% of Superior Court cases are direct drug charges.
Although Navajo County has high rates of problems associated with substance use, we have lower per capita spending on prevention and treatment: about $3.26 per person.
Meth that is colored pink and strawberry (Strawberry Quik”) flavored in order to draw younger children to use. Gives the drug a better flavor when inhaled or eaten.
YABA is methamphetamine from Asia that is mixed with caffeine to extend the effects. Comes in a pill and is being marketed like “ecstasy”. Has not been spotted in our area yet
Funding Navajo County received $20,000 in funding in 2006 as part of the AB2554 allocation for establishing anti-meth coalitions. Navajo County Anti-Meth Coalition received on April 2 a further $30,000 in state funding. The Coalition has no other funding.

Navajo County Community Problem Indicators

Methamphetamine contributes significantly to social issues within the community. According to local sources:
• 44% of the county’s population is under age 24, within the Coalition’s 12-24 targeted age range1
• 65% of child abuse and neglect cases involve meth2
• 53% of dependency cases are meth related3
• Of 89 children in dependency most under age 5.4
• 80% clients in social health services are there for meth-related reasons5
• 5-6 substance exposed newborns a month at Summit Regional Medical Center or about 65 per year. Those are just the one’s we are justified to drug test. Of those, 60 percent are estimated to be meth exposed.6
• One out of three DUI in 2006 were meth related; three meth related car accidents in 20067
• Property theft and identity theft cases are frequently linked to meth addiction8
• Monetary loss due to check theft in home burglaries consumes extensive law enforcement time.9
• 90% Navajo County Jail inmates have meth related crimes10
• 62% of DUI Task Force arrests are meth related11
• Meth is the #1 drug problem in Navajo County12
• 85% of probation department cases are meth related13
• 40 juveniles on probation are meth related cases14
• 53% of Superior Court cases are direct drug charges15
• Among Arizona counties, Navajo ranks highest for meth use among 12th graders, and second highest in meth use among 8th and 10th graders.16
• 75% of self-reporting students surveyed report use of any type of drug; 45% report actual meth use.17

Drug Related Cases January – June 2008

Total Drug Related Cases Charged	250
Drug Related Cases Concluded	221
Resulting in Conviction	204
Drug Trafficking/Sale Cases Charged	84
Drug Trafficking/Sale Cases Resulting in a Conviction as of June 2008	36
Cases Concluded Within 6 Months	88.4%
Conviction Rate Within 6 Months	92.3%

1Navajo County website, www.co.navajo.az.us
2 Navajo County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
3 CASA
4 CASA
5 Summit Regional Healthcare (SRH)
6 SRH
7 Navajo County Sheriff’s Office
8 Navajo County police departments
9 Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department
10 Navajo County Sheriff’s Office
11 Navajo County records
12 Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Major Crime Apprehension Team
13 Navajo County Probation Office
14 CASA
15 Arizona Youth Survey 2006, Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
16 Navajo County Public Fiduciary
17 Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Methaphetamine Interdiction Summary Report, 4th Quarter FY 2008